Gailes power
Sally McLean comes up for Ayr in a hotel spa that’s had a £2m facelift
Adreary winter Saturday was made infinitely better with a trip to one of Ayrshire’s finest spa hotels. My friend Jane and I ditched the husbands and the kids for a cheeky overnighter to The Gailes Hotel in Irvine – and it was the perfect pick-me-up.
The hotel’s Si! Spa has recently undergone a £2million makeover and it is a huge draw.
Coming from the area, we had both heard a lot about the upgrade and were excited to see if it lived up to all the hype.
On arrival, we were shown to our modern, comfortable room before heading off to the Coast Restaurant and Bar.
The bar’s extensive cocktail menu was studiously sampled as we relaxed into our break, both delirious from the espresso martinis and a longoverdue girls’ night away.
It was time for food, and the salt and crispy chilli chicken strips with sriracha and soy dipping sauces was the perfect starter before I tucked into a succulent, melt-in-the-mouth shin of Ayshire beef.
Jane raved about her Atlantic prawn cocktail and breast of chicken and haggis. Sadly, there was no room for dessert but I was eyeing up the lemon meringue tart. Next time.
After another couple of drinks in the cosy bar, we took ourselves off to bed, wanting to be fresh for our spa appointments the next morning.
After breakfast – full fry-up of course – we headed for the main event. SimpsInns owns the hotel and also The Waterside Hotel at West Kilbride and the Old Loans Inn, near Troon.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, it has invested in improving its portfolio and the customer experience.
Si! Spa is a breathtaking addition.
From the moment you walk in, you are enveloped in serenity.
The staff, led by spa managers and a team of 10 expert therapists, will make you feel comfortable and welcomed.
The decor promotes wellness and the attention to detail is evident. After filling out the relevant forms, we were taken to changing rooms where we got ready for an hour of relaxation in the thermal suite.
There is also a new outdoor spa deck which guests can use for free when booking any spa treatment of 55 minutes or longer.
Sadly, the day we were there it was a Scottish winter day so we had to give that bit a miss. Again, next time.
Instead, we tried out the hydropool, the sauna and steam room before chilling on the beds while we waited for our treatments.
I had opted for an Ishga uplifting facial which uses the organic products which are made from the finest hand-picked seaweed from the Hebrides and it left my skin smooth and supple.
It was one of the most relaxing 55 minutes I have experienced as I fell into a trance while my therapist expertly carried it out.
My skin felt rejuvenated for days afterwards and my make-up was
easier to apply too. Jane had an ESPA focused back, neck and shoulder massage and was floating on air when I met up with her again in the relaxation room.
We then headed to the spa restaurant for petit fours and tea as we maximised our chilling.
The interior design carries the coastal theme with marine colour scheme, driftwood and other nautical references, perfect for its location on the Ayrshire coast.
Recharged, we checked out and headed home – both agreeing that we would have that pudding and try out the outdoor deck next time. It can’t come
soon enough.
It was one of the most relaxing 55 minutes I have ever experienced